1.From Golgi Stress to Golgiphagy—a New Regulatory Model Involved in Glucose and Lipid Metabolism
Hai-Jun WEI ; He-Ming WANG ; Shu-Jing CHEN ; Shu-Zhi WANG ; Lin-Xi CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):275-292
The Golgi body, a core organelle in eukaryotic cells, plays a critical role in protein modification, sorting, vesicular transport, and serves as a key site for lipid synthesis and glycosylation. Glucose and lipid metabolism are central processes for cellular energy maintenance and biosynthesis, and are closely linked to Golgi function. Recent studies have revealed the extensive involvement of the Golgi body in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, where maintaining its structural and functional homeostasis is crucial for normal physiological activity. Under various stress conditions such as acidosis, hypoxia, and nutrient deficiency, the Golgi body undergoes structural and functional disruption, leading to Golgi stress. This in turn activates specific signaling pathways, such as those mediated by the cAMP-responsive element binding protein 3 (CREB3) and proteoglycans, to alleviate Golgi stress and enhance Golgi function. Golgi stress contributes to glucose and lipid metabolic disorders by affecting the activity of insulin receptors, glucose transporters, and lipid metabolism-related enzymes. For example, Golgi stress triggers the cleavage and release of the active fragment of CREB3, which enters the nucleus and upregulates the transcription of ADP-ribosylation factor 4 (ARF4) and key gluconeogenic enzymes, including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase). ARF4 promotes vesicle retrograde transport between the Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum, maintains secretory capacity, and enhances hepatic glucose output. This pathway is particularly active under high-fat or lipotoxic stress, leading to fasting hyperglycemia. When damaged Golgi components accumulate beyond a tolerable threshold, the cell initiates an autophagic response, selectively encapsulating the damaged Golgi into autophagosomes, which then fuse with lysosomes to form autolysosomes, leading to Golgiphagy. This process results in the degradation and clearance of damaged Golgi, thereby regulating Golgi quantity, quality, and function. Golgiphagy also plays a significant role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. For instance, under high-glucose conditions, autophagic flux may be suppressed, impairing the timely clearance and renewal of damaged Golgi, compromising its normal function, and further exacerbating glucose metabolism disorders. Additionally, Golgiphagy may participate in lipid degradation and influence lipid synthesis and transport. Research indicates that Golgi stress and Golgiphagy play important roles in glucose and lipid metabolism-related diseases. For example, the leucine zipper protein (LZIP) under Golgi stress conditions can promote hepatic steatosis. In mouse primary cells and human tissues, LZIP induces the expression of apolipoprotein A-IV (APOA4), which increases peripheral free fatty acid uptake, resulting in lipid accumulation in the liver and contributing to the development of fatty liver disease. This review systematically outlines the structure and function of the Golgi apparatus, the molecular regulatory mechanisms of Golgi stress and Golgiphagy, and their synergistic roles. It further elaborates on how Golgi stress and Golgiphagy participate in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, discusses their clinical significance in related diseases such as diabetes, fatty liver disease, and obesity, and highlights potential novel therapeutic strategies from the perspective of Golgi-targeted medicine
2.From Golgi Stress to Golgiphagy—a New Regulatory Model Involved in Glucose and Lipid Metabolism
Hai-Jun WEI ; He-Ming WANG ; Shu-Jing CHEN ; Shu-Zhi WANG ; Lin-Xi CHEN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(2):275-292
The Golgi body, a core organelle in eukaryotic cells, plays a critical role in protein modification, sorting, vesicular transport, and serves as a key site for lipid synthesis and glycosylation. Glucose and lipid metabolism are central processes for cellular energy maintenance and biosynthesis, and are closely linked to Golgi function. Recent studies have revealed the extensive involvement of the Golgi body in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, where maintaining its structural and functional homeostasis is crucial for normal physiological activity. Under various stress conditions such as acidosis, hypoxia, and nutrient deficiency, the Golgi body undergoes structural and functional disruption, leading to Golgi stress. This in turn activates specific signaling pathways, such as those mediated by the cAMP-responsive element binding protein 3 (CREB3) and proteoglycans, to alleviate Golgi stress and enhance Golgi function. Golgi stress contributes to glucose and lipid metabolic disorders by affecting the activity of insulin receptors, glucose transporters, and lipid metabolism-related enzymes. For example, Golgi stress triggers the cleavage and release of the active fragment of CREB3, which enters the nucleus and upregulates the transcription of ADP-ribosylation factor 4 (ARF4) and key gluconeogenic enzymes, including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase). ARF4 promotes vesicle retrograde transport between the Golgi and endoplasmic reticulum, maintains secretory capacity, and enhances hepatic glucose output. This pathway is particularly active under high-fat or lipotoxic stress, leading to fasting hyperglycemia. When damaged Golgi components accumulate beyond a tolerable threshold, the cell initiates an autophagic response, selectively encapsulating the damaged Golgi into autophagosomes, which then fuse with lysosomes to form autolysosomes, leading to Golgiphagy. This process results in the degradation and clearance of damaged Golgi, thereby regulating Golgi quantity, quality, and function. Golgiphagy also plays a significant role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. For instance, under high-glucose conditions, autophagic flux may be suppressed, impairing the timely clearance and renewal of damaged Golgi, compromising its normal function, and further exacerbating glucose metabolism disorders. Additionally, Golgiphagy may participate in lipid degradation and influence lipid synthesis and transport. Research indicates that Golgi stress and Golgiphagy play important roles in glucose and lipid metabolism-related diseases. For example, the leucine zipper protein (LZIP) under Golgi stress conditions can promote hepatic steatosis. In mouse primary cells and human tissues, LZIP induces the expression of apolipoprotein A-IV (APOA4), which increases peripheral free fatty acid uptake, resulting in lipid accumulation in the liver and contributing to the development of fatty liver disease. This review systematically outlines the structure and function of the Golgi apparatus, the molecular regulatory mechanisms of Golgi stress and Golgiphagy, and their synergistic roles. It further elaborates on how Golgi stress and Golgiphagy participate in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, discusses their clinical significance in related diseases such as diabetes, fatty liver disease, and obesity, and highlights potential novel therapeutic strategies from the perspective of Golgi-targeted medicine
3.Influence of atrial septal defect on mitral valve growth after repair of coarctation of the aorta or an interrupted aortic arch in infants
Yi-Chia WANG ; Heng-Wen CHOU ; Chi-Hsiang HUANG ; Hsing-Hao HUANG ; Yih-Sharng CHEN ; En-Ting WU ; Shyh-Jye CHEN ; Ming-Tai LIN ; Shuenn-Nan CHIU ; Shu-Chien HUANG
Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics 2026;69(4):322-329
Background:
Patients with coarctation of the aorta (CoA) and an interrupted aortic arch (IAA) may present with small mitral valves (MVs) and a reduced left ventricular (LV) volume. Biventricular repair (BVR) in these patients is dependent on adequate size of the left cardiac structures.Purpose: This study evaluated the impact of the hemodynamic characteristics of atrial septal defects (ASDs) on MV growth following surgical repair.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients diagnosed with CoA or IAA between 2007 and 2024. The z score for MV size measured 6 months postoperatively (Z2) was compared with the preoperative MV size (Z1). The factors associated with MV growth were also studied.
Results:
A total of 161 patients with CoA or IAA were included. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to assess the MV and LV dimensions preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Of the cohort, 155 (96.3%) underwent initial BVR and 6 underwent single-ventricle palliation. MV z scores significantly increased following BVR (mean change: +0.45±1.35; P<0.001) but decreased after single-ventricle repair (-0.56±0.49, P=0.04). Multivariate analysis identified the initial MV z score and ASD pressure gradient as independent predictors of MV growth (R2=0.39).
Conclusion
Annular growth of the MV was not observed in patients who underwent single-ventricle palliation. In contrast, among patients who achieved BVR, those with a small preoperative MV annulus and low ASD pressure gradient demonstrated subsequent catch-up MV growth, suggesting that adequate left-sided preload is essential for MV development.
4.Differences in deltamethrin resistance and kdr gene mutation in Culex tritaeniorhynchus population in and outside the Yellow Sea wetland
Xiao-er ZHANG ; Zhi-ming WU ; Ye TIAN ; Qian CUI ; Yu-qian JI ; Huan WANG ; Shu-juan YANG ; Yi-chao ZHAO ; Yu WANG ; Hua-yu YIN ; Yu DING ; Guo-jin YAN ; Min-sen ZHAO ; Shou-gang ZHANG ; Bing-dong SONG ; Hong-na CHEN ; Jian GAO ; Wei-fang YANG ; Yu-fu ZHANG ; Hui LIU ; Hong-liang CHU
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2026;33(2):101-107
Objective To gain insights into the biological characteristics of different populations of Culex tritaeniorhynchus within and around the Yellow Sea wetland from the perspective of the occurrence of resistance, we investigated the levels of resistance to deltamethrin and kdr gene mutation in the wetland and its peripheral areas. Methods Specimens were collected from Cx. tritaeniorhynchus populations at two monitoring sites in the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area, and also from two populations in Yancheng City and the Liuhe District of Nanjing, and the resistance of these mosquitoes to deltamethrin was determined using the CDC biotest bottle method. For each concentration of deltamethrin assessed, a random subset of exposed specimens was selected for amplification of the kdr gene fragment, followed by Sanger sequencing to identify and analyze resistance-associated mutations. Results The LC50 levels of deltamethrin among mosquitoes from the four populations in Luhe, Yancheng, the Rare Bird National Nature Reserve and the Tiaozi Ni Wetland Scenic Area were 2.048 5, 7.798 2, 3.473 3, and 17.695 5 mg/mL, respectively, with corresponding concentrations of deltamethrin ranging from 0.005 to 5.000,0.050 to 50.000,0.050 to 25.000 and 0.050 to 50.000 mg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, the ranges of the KT50 values were 11.76-107.43, 67.05-216.30,29.77-107.43 and 28.40-329.51 min; the 1-h knockdown rates were 34.58%-99.15%, 9.52%-43.80%, 55.09%-73.01%, and 10.09%-68.07%; and the 24-h mortality rates were 12.15%-67.52%,9.52%-79.56%,13.17%-82.21%, and 11.01%-78.99%, respectively. With respect to kdr gene mutation, we assayed a total of 63,70,59, and 57 mosquitoes for the four populations, for which we detected L1014F mutation frequencies of 14.29%, 35.00%, 20.34%, and 31.58%, respectively, with a majority of these mutations being heterozygous for resistance. In addition, five adult mosquitoes were identified has having synonymous mutations at site 1011[i. e. , AAT(asparagine)mutation to AAC(asparagine)]. Conclusions Our findings revealed the clear resistance of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus to deltamethrin in the Yancheng region of the Yellow Sea wetland, and the resistance phenotype and kdr frequency of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment were comparable to those of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus in the wetland environment, thereby indicating that the resistance of different populations of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was homogeneous under the pressure of different insecticide selection within and around the wetland. However, the underlying mechanisms need to be further studied.
5.Mechanistic of Yueju Wan volatile oil in inhibiting inflammation for antidepressant effects by regulating AGE/PI3K/Akt pathway.
Tan-Lu CHU ; Ze-Jun GUO ; Wei ZHANG ; Ling-Feng WANG ; Shu-Rui LYU ; Wan-Yu GUO ; Xiao-Ming ZHONG ; Feng-Mei QIU ; Zhen HUANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):3147-3158
The antidepressant activity and molecular mechanisms of Yueju Wan volatile oil were investigated. The Yueju Wan volatile oil was extracted by using supercritical CO_2. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) combined with network pharmacology identified 28 chemical constituents in Yueju Wan volatile oil, primarily terpenes and lactones. A total of 123 overlapping targets were associated with depression, including core targets of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), and caspase-3(CASP3). These targets were mainly involved in the prolactin, advanced glycation end products/receptor(AGE/RAGE), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways. A reserpine-induced depression mouse model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Yueju Wan volatile oil. The effects of Yueju Wan volatile oil on depression-like behavior in mice were evaluated by analyzing body mass, body temperature index, tail suspension immobility time, forced swimming immobility time, and sucrose preference. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining revealed neuronal protection of Yueju Wan volatile oil in the brain of mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and Western blot were employed to detect the protein expression of AGEs, IL-1β, phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K), Akt, phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt), nuclear factor κB(NF-κB), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF). Behavioral evaluation showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could effectively control the decline of body mass and body temperature of depressed mice, reduce tail suspension and swimming immobility time, and enhance their preference for sucrose. Histopathological examination showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could alleviate the neuronal damage in CA1 and dentate gyrus(DG) of the hippocampus of mice. ELISA and Western blot results showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could significantly increase the protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and BDNF and significantly decrease the protein expression levels of AGEs, IL-1β, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and NF-κB in the hippocampus of mice. Furthermore, the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios were significantly decreased at medium and high doses. These findings suggest that the aromatherapy of Yueju Wan volatile oil can significantly improve reserpine-induced depression-like behavior in mice, which may be related to reducing the expression of neuronal membrane protein AGEs, reducing the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt, inhibiting NF-κB entry into the nucleus, and alleviating the release of pro-inflammatory factors and nerve injury.
Animals
;
Antidepressive Agents/chemistry*
;
Mice
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/immunology*
;
Oils, Volatile/chemistry*
;
Male
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Depression/metabolism*
;
Glycation End Products, Advanced/immunology*
;
Humans
6.Three-dimensional kinematic analysis can improve the efficacy of acupoint selection for post-stroke patients with upper limb spastic paresis: A randomized controlled trial.
Xin-Yun HUANG ; Ou-Ping LIAO ; Shu-Yun JIANG ; Ji-Ming TAO ; Yang LI ; Xiao-Ying LU ; Yi-Ying LI ; Ci WANG ; Jing LI ; Xiao-Peng MA
Journal of Integrative Medicine 2025;23(1):15-24
BACKGROUND:
China is seeing a growing demand for rehabilitation treatments for post-stroke upper limb spastic paresis (PSSP-UL). Although acupuncture is known to be effective for PSSP-UL, there is room to enhance its efficacy.
OBJECTIVE:
This study explored a semi-personalized acupuncture approach for PSSP-UL that used three-dimensional kinematic analysis (3DKA) results to select additional acupoints, and investigated the feasibility, efficacy and safety of this approach.
DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS:
This single-blind, single-center, randomized, controlled trial involved 74 participants who experienced a first-ever ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke with spastic upper limb paresis. The participants were then randomly assigned to the intervention group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio. Both groups received conventional treatments and acupuncture treatment 5 days a week for 4 weeks. The main acupoints in both groups were the same, while participants in the intervention group received additional acupoints selected on the basis of 3DKA results. Follow-up assessments were conducted for 8 weeks after the treatment.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:
The primary outcome was the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) response rate (≥ 6-point change) at week 4. Secondary outcomes included changes in motor function (FMA-UE), Brunnstrom recovery stage (BRS), manual muscle test (MMT), spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale, MAS), and activities of daily life (Modified Barthel Index, MBI) at week 4 and week 12.
RESULTS:
Sixty-four participants completed the trial and underwent analyses. Compared with control group, the intervention group exhibited a significantly higher FMA-UE response rate at week 4 (χ2 = 5.479, P = 0.019) and greater improvements in FMA-UE at both week 4 and week 12 (both P < 0.001). The intervention group also showed bigger improvements from baseline in the MMT grades for shoulder adduction and elbow flexion at weeks 4 and 12 as well as thumb adduction at week 4 (P = 0.007, P = 0.049, P = 0.019, P = 0.008, P = 0.029, respectively). The intervention group showed a better change in the MBI at both week 4 and week 12 (P = 0.004 and P = 0.010, respectively). Although the intervention group had a higher BRS for the hand at week 12 (P = 0.041), no intergroup differences were observed at week 4 (all P > 0.05). The two groups showed no differences in MAS grades as well as in BRS for the arm at weeks 4 and 12 (all P > 0.05).
CONCLUSION:
Semi-personalized acupuncture prescription based on 3DKA results significantly improved motor function, muscle strength, and activities of daily living in patients with PSSP-UL.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2200056216. Please cite this article as: Huang XY, Liao OP, Jiang SY, Tao JM, Li Y, Lu XY, Li YY, Wang C, Li J, Ma XP. Three-dimensional kinematic analysis can improve the efficacy of acupoint selection for post-stroke patients with upper limb spastic paresis: A randomized controlled trial. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 15-24.
Humans
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Male
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Female
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Middle Aged
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Acupuncture Points
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Upper Extremity/physiopathology*
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Biomechanical Phenomena
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Single-Blind Method
;
Aged
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Stroke/therapy*
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Acupuncture Therapy/methods*
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Stroke Rehabilitation/methods*
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Adult
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Muscle Spasticity/therapy*
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Paresis/physiopathology*
;
Treatment Outcome
7.Comprehensive Analysis of Oncogenic, Prognostic, and Immunological Roles of FANCD2 in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Potential Predictor for Survival and Immunotherapy.
Meng Jiao XU ; Wen DENG ; Ting Ting JIANG ; Shi Yu WANG ; Ru Yu LIU ; Min CHANG ; Shu Ling WU ; Ge SHEN ; Xiao Xue CHEN ; Yuan Jiao GAO ; Hongxiao HAO ; Lei Ping HU ; Lu ZHANG ; Yao LU ; Wei YI ; Yao XIE ; Ming Hui LI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(3):313-327
OBJECTIVE:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is sensitive to ferroptosis, a new form of programmed cell death that occurs in most tumor types. However, the mechanism through which ferroptosis modulates HCC remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the oncogenic role and prognostic value of FANCD2 and provide novel insights into the prognostic assessment and prediction of immunotherapy.
METHODS:
Using clinicopathological parameters and bioinformatic techniques, we comprehensively examined the expression of FANCD2 macroscopically and microcosmically. We conducted univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify the prognostic value of FANCD2 in HCC and elucidated the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of FANCD2 in oncogenesis by promoting iron-related death.
RESULTS:
FANCD2 was significantly upregulated in digestive system cancers with abundant immune infiltration. As an independent risk factor for HCC, a high FANCD2 expression level was associated with poor clinical outcomes and response to immune checkpoint blockade. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that FANCD2 was mainly involved in the cell cycle and CYP450 metabolism.
CONCLUSION
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively elucidate the oncogenic role of FANCD2. FANCD2 has a tumor-promoting aspect in the digestive system and acts as an independent risk factor in HCC; hence, it has recognized value for predicting tumor aggressiveness and prognosis and may be a potential biomarker for poor responsiveness to immunotherapy.
Humans
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Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis*
;
Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis*
;
Immunotherapy
;
Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group D2 Protein/metabolism*
;
Prognosis
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Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*
8.Serum Lipidomics Profiling to Identify Potential Biomarkers of Ischemic Stroke: A Pilot Study in Chinese Adults.
Ji Jun SHI ; Zu Jiao NIE ; Shu Yao WANG ; Hao ZHANG ; Xin Wei LI ; Jia Ling YAO ; Yi Bing JIN ; Xiang Dong YANG ; Xue Yang ZHANG ; Ming Zhi ZHANG ; Hao PENG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(8):918-925
OBJECTIVE:
Lipid oxidation is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and may be contribute to the development of Ischemic stroke (IS). However, the lipid profiles associated with IS have been poorly studied. We conducted a pilot study to identify potential IS-related lipid molecules and pathways using lipidomic profiling.
METHODS:
Serum lipidomic profiling was performed using LC-MS in 20 patients with IS and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Univariate and multivariate analyses were simultaneously performed to identify the differential lipids. Multiple testing was controlled for using a false discovery rate (FDR) approach. Enrichment analysis was performed using MetaboAnalyst software.
RESULTS:
Based on the 294 lipids assayed, principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models were used to distinguish patients with IS from healthy controls. Fifty-six differential lipids were identified with an FDR-adjusted P less than 0.05 and variable influences in projection (VIP) greater than 1.0. These lipids were significantly enriched in glycerophospholipid metabolism (FDR-adjusted P = 0.009, impact score = 0.216).
CONCLUSIONS
Serum lipid profiles differed significantly between patients with IS and healthy controls. Thus, glycerophospholipid metabolism may be involved in the development of IS. These results provide initial evidence that lipid molecules and their related metabolites may serve as new biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for IS.
Humans
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Pilot Projects
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Lipidomics
;
Male
;
Female
;
Biomarkers/blood*
;
Middle Aged
;
Ischemic Stroke/blood*
;
Aged
;
China
;
Lipids/blood*
;
Adult
;
Case-Control Studies
;
East Asian People
9.Associations between Red Cell Indices and Cerebral Blood Flow Velocity in High Altitude.
Hao Lun SUN ; Tai Ming ZHANG ; Dong Yu FAN ; Hao Xiang WANG ; Lu Ran XU ; Qing DU ; Jun LIANG ; Li ZHU ; Xu WANG ; Li LEI ; Xiao Shu LI ; Wang Sheng JIN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1314-1319
10.Association between the non-treatment threshold or upper limit of normal of alanine aminotransferase and liver pathological injury in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection and a persistently low level of alanine aminotransferase
Ming SHU ; Suwen JIANG ; Airong HU ; Qin CHEN ; Jialan WANG ; Menghan JIN ; Haojin ZHANG ; Shiqi YANG ; Shiyang FAN
Journal of Clinical Hepatology 2025;41(10):2044-2053
ObjectiveTo investigate the significance of different non-treatment thresholds or upper limits of normal (ULN) of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in evaluating significant liver pathological injury in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and to provide guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment. MethodsThis study was conducted among 733 patients with chronic HBV infection who were hospitalized in Ningbo No. 2 Hospital from January 2015 to December 2023 and underwent liver biopsy and histopathological examination, and all patients had a persistent ALT level of ≤40 U/L and positive HBV DNA (>30 IU/mL). According to the treatment threshold or ULN of ALT, the patients were divided into group 1 with 575 patients (≤35 U/L for male patients, ≤25 U/L for female patients), group 2 with 430 patients (≤30 U/L for male patients, ≤19 U/L for female patients), group 3 with 443 patients (≤27 U/L for male patients, ≤24 U/L for female patients), group 4 with 446 patients (≤25 U/L), group 5 with 158 patients (>35 U/L for male patients, >25 U/L for female patients), and group 6 with 145 patients (>30 — ≤35 U/L for male patients, >19 — ≤25 U/L for female patients). Groups 2, 5, and 6 were compared to analyze the severity of liver pathological injury in patients with different ALT levels and the constituent ratio of patients with significant liver pathological injury, and groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 were compared to investigate the value of different ULN or non-treatment thresholds of ALT in determining liver inflammation grade (G), liver fibrosis stage (S), and the treatment indication based on liver pathology. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups; a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test or the Tambane’s test was used for further comparison between two groups; the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison between multiple groups and further comparison between two groups; the chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups; a Ridit analysis was used for comparison of ranked data. A multivariate Logistic regression analysis (forward stepwise) was performed with whether liver pathology met the treatment indication (≥G2 and/or ≥S2) as the dependent variable and related factors with a significant impact on the dependent variable (P <0.05) as the independent variable. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC), as well as sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio, was used to assess the diagnostic value of different non-treatment thresholds of ALT. ResultsAmong the 733 patients, 259 (35.33%) had ≥G2 liver inflammation, 211 (28.79%) had ≥S2 liver fibrosis, and 306 (41.75%) had treatment indication (≥G2 and/or ≥S2). There was a significant difference in liver inflammation grade (G0 — G4) between groups 2, 5, and 6 (χ2=22.869, P <0.001), and there were also significant differences in the constituent ratios of patients with ≥G2 or ≥G3 liver inflammation between the three groups (χ2=21.742 and 14.921, P<0.001 and P=0.001). There was a significant difference in liver fibrosis stage (S0 — S4) between groups 2, 5, and 6 (χ2=16.565, P<0.001), and there were also significant differences in the constituent ratios of patients with ≥S2, ≥S3 or S4 liver fibrosis between the three groups (χ2=13.264, 13.050, and 6.260, P=0.001, 0.001, and 0.044). There were significant differences between groups 2, 5, and 6 in the constituent ratios of patients with or without treatment indication based on liver pathology (χ2=20.728, P<0.001). There were significant differences between groups 2, 5, and 6 in the constituent ratio of male patients (χ2=24.836, P<0.05), age (F=5.710, P<0.05), ALT (F=473.193, P<0.05), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (F=107.774, P<0.05), ALT/AST ratio (F=40.167, P<0.05), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) (H=15.463, P<0.05), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) (H=63.024, P<0.05), and LIF-5 (5 indicators for liver inflammation and fibrosis) (H=46.397, P<0.05). In groups 1 — 4, compared with the patients without treatment indication, the patients with treatment indication had a significantly lower constituent ratio of patients with positive HBeAg, significantly lower levels of platelet count (PLT) and HBV DNA, and significantly higher age, ALT, AST, GGT, APRI, FIB-4, and LIF-5 (all P<0.05). The Logistic regression analysis showed that age (odds ratio [OR]=1.044, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.025 — 1.063, P<0.001), GGT (OR=1.022, 95%CI: 1.007 — 1.038, P=0.003), and HBV DNA (OR=0.839, 95%CI: 0.765 — 0.919, P<0.001) were influencing factors for treatment indication based on liver pathology in group 1; HBeAg (OR=1.978, 95%CI: 1.269 — 3.082, P=0.003), age (OR=1.048, 95%CI: 1.025 — 1.071, P<0.001), GGT (OR=1.016, 95%CI: 1.001 — 1.031, P=0.041), and PLT (OR=0.995, 95%CI: 0.991 — 1.000, P=0.049) were influencing factors in group 2; age (OR=1.040, 95%CI: 1.014 — 1.066, P=0.002), ALT (OR=1.047, 95%CI: 1.005 — 1.092, P=0.029), HBV DNA (OR=0.817, 95%CI: 0.736 — 0.907, P<0.001), and LIF-5 (OR=7.382, 95%CI: 1.151 — 47.330, P=0.035) were influencing factors in group 3; age (OR=1.054, 95%CI: 1.031 — 1.077, P<0.001), ALT (OR=1.061, 95%CI: 1.016 — 1.107, P=0.008), and HBV DNA (OR=0.825, 95%CI: 0.743 — 0.917, P<0.001) were influencing factors in group 4. The diagnostic performance for identifying ≥G2 liver inflammation, ≥S2 liver fibrosis, and treatment indication in groups 1 — 4 had an AUC of >0.7; group 1 showed the lowest sensitivity (28.76%) and the highest specificity, positive predictive value, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio in judging treatment indication; group 2 had the highest sensitivity and negative predictive value and the lowest negative likelihood ratio; groups 3 and 4 had similar diagnostic indicators. ConclusionIn patients with chronic HBV infection and a persistently low ALT level, the severity of liver histopathological injury and the constituent ratio of significant liver histopathological injury decrease with the reduction in ALT level. A higher non-treatment threshold or ULN of ALT can help to identify the patients requiring treatment (with a higher specificity), while a lower non-treatment threshold or ULN of ALT can help to identify the patients who do not require treatment (with a higher sensitivity).


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